It's Fall, the energetic month, the
perfect time to turn off the TV and surprise your friends with an amazing
project.

Let me tell you about an experience
that made me want to write to you about creativity. I met a woman who is a
composer yesterday, and we got talking about doing creative work. I wasn't
surprised to find that she did not have to be in the mood to compose a piece of
music because I'm like that too. She just sits down and works. Of course the
word "work" may give you the wrong impression because both of us think
our work is fun. Some of my best ideas come when I least expect them. What works
for me is to store them in my mind so they're ready when I at my art desk. If I
can, I bring an object or get a book that reflects the idea I'm interested in.

Right now, I'm collecting images of
polar bears and winter landscapes. I'm planning a trip to see a live polar bear
at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago When it comes time to work on my future book,
I'll have a lot of reminders of my fascination with polar bears. Maybe you'd
like to start a special shelf in your room where you put things that intrigue
you.

When your teacher asks for a writing
assignment or you want to create a story or a picture you might find that shelf
will get you started. For me, the hardest part is being patient. Since I spend a
year forming each children's book, I have to put things aside. Let me know if
you decide to start a "neat stuff" shelf, because I'd love to have you
describe it to me. I think you'll find that if you get a friend to start one
too, that you'll marvel at how different the things you choose are. That's
because each of us are unique, and that's why your creative expression is so
important. No one else in the world can create just like you.

Thank you to everyone who came to my book signings
in Great Barrington, Massachusetts and Manchester Center, Vermont. I'm so happy
you all love books so much. A nice bookstore owner gave me a great hedgehog
counting book, Tea for Ten by Lena Anderson. If you love hedgehogs, as I
do, you will appreciate this book's gentle humor for very little children. In
the book, Hedgie and I liked the hedgehog's favorite plant. Can you guess what
it is? Hint - its got prickles!